Birthplace of the Guitar

 

 

 

 

To truly appreciate today's modern guitar and its popularity to both adults and children, it is useful to trace the instrument's roots. This process begins with studying the ancestors of the guitar, such as the lute or the cittern. According to Karl Geiringer, author of "Instruments in the History of Western Music", instruments were developed in Europe and brought to their present stage on this continent but their roots go back to the east.  He states "we owe our modern instruments to importations from Asia" ^1.

 

 

 

The Moors, who in the eighth century occupied parts of Spain, introduced Arab culture into Europe.  From Spain, their instruments spread through France and into the rest of Europe ².